Vigilante group caused arrest

By Linda Cicoira

A young Parksley area man was charged Friday with using a communication system to attempt to commit an offense against a child. Authorities say the incident involved a vigilante group that lured the suspect to the Eastern Shore Public Library by posing fictitiously as a 12 year old.

The suspect is 20-year-old Matthew Dean Thomas. The case was sent to Accomack Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan weighed in on the incident. “While law enforcement in Accomack County shares the desire to see child predators removed from the streets, the manner in which EDP Watch conducted this operation, without any notice or involvement of law enforcement until after a confrontation occurred in a public place, raises serious concerns,” Morgan said.

“While this incident was resolved with no violence, the scenario could have played out very differently,” the prosecutor continued. “I encourage individuals … aware of criminal activity in the county to immediately contact the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office or the Virginia State Police.”

When asked if the vigilantes would be charged with a crime, Morgan said, “We will be reviewing the video and materials provided to make sure that their activities were within the law.”

Thomas was arrested and taken to the Accomack Jail. No other information has been made available by authorities.